Shoe with midsole

ABSTRACT

A shoe comprising an upper, a sole and a midsole that comprises a plurality of projections received inside corresponding recesses defined in the sole. The recesses are blind at a relative bottom surface. One end of the projections is in contact with the bottom surface of the recesses at least in a forefoot region such that, in the course of a walking movement, the projections are compressed by the foot of the wearer.

The invention relates to a shoe comprising a sole and a midsole having a series of projections that can be housed in corresponding recesses made in the sole.

Various solutions for inserting a midsole inside a shoe, in particular so that it is coupled to the sole, are known.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,793,428 describes a shoe comprising an upper and an upper plate made of a relatively rigid material, which plate is secured to the upper and in which a plurality of openings are made. The removable midsole comprises a plurality of projections that extend from a lower surface, with each projection extending through one of the openings in the upper plate.

A plurality of hollow column-shaped structures are provided in the heel portion, inside which structures the above-mentioned projections are housed.

The column-shaped structures may be made of a transparent material such that the projections housed therein are visible.

In this way, when the midsole is replaced with a different midsole having projections of different colours, the wearer is able to visibly see that the midsole has been replaced.

However, the presence of the upper plate and of the column-shaped structures fixed thereto makes it difficult to produce a shoe in which the flexibility characteristics are changed in the various regions of the sole.

Additional documents that describe similar solutions include patent applications US 2016/324264 and WO 2016/115156.

However, the need has arisen to produce a shoe in which the various regions of the sole can have a different degree of flexibility or, more generally, a different response in the course of a walking movement.

The technical problem that forms the basis of the present invention is that of providing a shoe, the structure and function of which are designed to overcome one or more of the limiting factors set out above with reference to the cited prior art.

Within the context of the above-mentioned problem, the main object of the invention is to develop a shoe having an interchangeable midsole, in which it is possible to change the characteristics of the sole in the various regions of the sole, and which object simultaneously makes it possible to effectively couple the midsole to the sole.

This problem is solved and these objects are achieved by the present invention by means of a shoe formed according to claim 1.

Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The sole according to the present invention makes it possible to use the projections provided on the midsole both to couple it to the sole and to change the characteristics of the shoe in the various regions of the sole. In addition, the midsole can be positioned both stably and accurately, thus ensuring that it is simple to replace.

According to preferred aspects, the invention also makes it possible to elastically recover the energy that is transferred to the shoe in the course of a walking movement.

According to additional aspects, the present invention also makes it possible to facilitate the helical motion of the foot caused during the various phases of walking.

According to other aspects, the invention also makes it possible to use high-quality materials to produce the upper, it thus being possible to produce the sole of the shoe using modern technology, such as injection-moulding. In this way, the need to produce a high-quality shoe that is producible on an industrial scale can be met.

According to even more aspects, the present invention makes it possible to provide a shoe that is particularly stable during oscillatory movements when walking.

The features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of two embodiments thereof, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a shoe according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view from below of the shoe in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a lateral, partially exploded view of the shoe in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial view from above of the shoe according to the present invention, from which a relative midsole has been removed;

FIGS. 5 to 7 are a view from above, a view from the side and a view from below, respectively, of the midsole of the shoe according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view from below of the midsole, in which first and second projections are identified;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic lateral sectional views of the first and the second projections of the midsole, respectively, which are housed in corresponding recesses in the sole;

FIG. 9 is a view from above that shows another aspect of the midsole according to the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a schematic illustration showing the effect of the aspect illustrated in FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views showing the upper of the shoe according to the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1 first of all, reference numeral 100 indicates a shoe as a whole, which is produced in accordance with the present invention.

The shoe 100 extends longitudinally in a toe-to-heel direction indicated by the letter X in FIG. 2.

The shoe comprises an upper 1 and a sole 2, in which a forefoot region 11, a midfoot region 12 and a rearfoot region 13 are defined, which are adjacent to one another in the toe-to-heel direction X.

A tread surface 20 is defined on the sole 2 and comes into contact with the ground when the shoe 100 is being used.

A midsole 3 is also removably housed inside the shoe 100.

Although the characteristics of the midsole are specified in detail below, it should be noted that, according to one aspect of the present invention, the midsole 3 advantageously also functions as an anatomical footbed. In this regard, the midsole is made of a material having a relatively high degree of flexibility, such as polyurethane (PU). The midsole 3 preferably also comprises a cover that can absorb sweat and may have antibacterial characteristics.

The midsole 3 can be inserted into the shoe 100 so as to be situated above the sole, thereby defining a surface on which the foot of the wearer rests.

On the opposite side, the midsole 3 comprises a contact surface 30 which, in contrast, faces the sole 2. The midsole 3 and the sole 2 can bear against one another either directly or by means of the interposition of additional layers.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the upper 1 comprises a base surface 16 for this purpose, which is preferably formed by a layer made of leather or of another material, possibly a synthetic material, which is used to make the upper.

As can be seen from FIGS. 10A and 10B, in one embodiment the base surface has through-openings 17, 18, the function of which will be illustrated below. The through-openings 17, 18 are preferably in a central region of the forefoot and rearfoot regions such that the base surface extends along the entire contour of the upper 1 and into the midfoot region.

In this way, the base surface 16 can be fixed along the contour, preferably the entire contour, of the upper 1, with the central part extending in the form of a bridge between opposing lateral sides thereof.

It should therefore be noted that this increases the stability of the structure of the upper, and therefore of the shoe as a whole, thus allowing the midsole 3 to be housed as per the embodiments that will be described below.

In one embodiment, the base surface 16 is sewn to the upper 1 along its contour.

In fact, the features of the upper are similar to those obtained using classic Strobel workmanship. In this way, the shoe according to the present invention is also particularly suitable for producing classic and elegant models.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the sole 1 comprises a plurality of recesses 26, 27, which are preferably made in the forefoot region 11 and the rearfoot region 13. As can be seen in the figure, the openings 17 and 18 in the base surface 16 advantageously allow access to the recesses 26 and 27, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 6, too, the midsole 3 in turn comprises a plurality of projections 31, 32, which are received in the recesses 26 and 27, respectively, in the sole 2 and which extend from a contact surface 30 of the midsole 3, against which the foot of the wearer rests.

Therefore, corresponding projections and recesses are positively coupled, making it possible to accurately position the midsole inside the shoe 100.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the projections, said projections can be substantially cylindrical or, even more preferably, truncated cone-shaped.

As can be seen from FIGS. 8A and 8B in particular, the recesses 26 in the forefoot region are blind at a relative bottom surface 28. The recesses 27 in the rearfoot region are preferably also blind.

As shown in the figures, the length d, which extends away from the contact surface 30, of at least the forefoot region is of such a size that one end 34 of the projections 31 is in contact with the bottom surface 28 of the recesses 26.

The above-mentioned length d is preferably greater than the depth of the corresponding recess. In one embodiment, the recess 26 is spaced apart from the projection 31 in a region that is adjacent to an inlet mouth thereof so as to define a gap in said region. In one embodiment, the gap is defined between the projection 31 and a lateral wall 22 of the corresponding recess 26.

The gap preferably runs around the outer edge of the projection 31 in the region in which the projection 31 connects to the contact surface 30. More generally, the gaps are defined in the recess 26, at least in the toe-to-heel direction of the shoe 100.

In other words, the projection 31 rests against the bottom surface 28 by its end 34, but is spaced apart from the recess 26 in which it is housed and preferably also from the sole portion 2 that surrounds the recess 26 itself at the opposite end. The contact surface 30, or more generally the midsole 3, is therefore spaced apart from the sole 2 in regions adjacent to the inlet mouth of the recesses 26. The above-mentioned configuration therefore allows the projection 31 to compress and consequently expand when the wearer exerts pressure on the midsole 3 in the course of a walking movement.

It should be noted that the projections 31 can be compressed, as a result of the walking movement, at the point when the ends 34 are in contact with the bottom surface 28 as a result of the presence of the gap described above and/or as a result of a greater length of the projection 31 with respect to the depth of the recess, and/or as a result of the intrinsic characteristics of the material used to make the midsole 3. In this regard, the projections 31 are preferably made of the same material as the midsole 3. In one embodiment, the projections are made of a material having a Shore hardness of between 18 and 25.

However, the above-mentioned features are preferably combined.

It should also be noted that the ability of the projections 31 to compress is associated with the dimensions and the shape of the gap that remains defined. The greater the dimensions of the gap and provided that the gap runs around the projection in a uniform manner, the greater its ability to deform.

By using a sufficiently resilient material, it is possible to produce a cushioning effect that is linked to the compression of the projections when the foot rests against the ground, and elastic return of the material, with a consequent release of energy, when the foot is raised again.

This feature is particularly useful for facilitating the walking movement.

In one embodiment, the projections and the corresponding recesses are designed such that the gaps widen in a longitudinal extent direction of the projection extending away from said end 34. On the one hand, this makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the projections into the recesses and, on the other hand, allows for progressive deformation when walking.

In order to optimise the response of the projections during walking, the gap can also have characteristics on the side facing the toe of the shoe that differ from those on the side facing the heel.

For this reason, the lateral wall portion of the projection and/or of the corresponding recess that faces the toe is at a greater incline with respect to a vertical direction than the portion facing the heel.

In one embodiment, which may be combined with the embodiment described above, the end 34 of the projection 31 is substantially flat and is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction defined by the plane of contact between the sole 2 and the ground. The end is preferably inclined such that the portion of the end 34 that faces the toe of the shoe is closer to the ground than the portion facing the heel.

This can advantageously increase the compressive effect in the course of the walking movement, thus further contributing to improving the features of the shoe.

However, the present invention is also advantageous in that it makes it possible to change the behaviour of the midsole 3 between one zone of the sole and another.

In fact, as touched upon above, the characteristics of the gap determine the behaviour of the midsole in the course of the walking movement.

By choosing a suitable number of projections and changing the characteristics of the coupling between the projection and the corresponding recess, it will therefore be possible to produce different behaviours depending on the region of the sole.

In this regard, in one embodiment, a plurality of projections 31 can be provided in the forefoot region, which are preferably substantially uniformly distributed in this region.

As illustrated schematically in FIGS. 8, 8A and 8B, in the shoe according to the present invention, gaps of different sizes may be provided.

For this purpose, in one embodiment, the projections 31 comprise first projections 31 a, illustrated in FIG. 8A, and second projections 31B, illustrated in FIG. 8B.

The gap defined between the first projection 31 a and the lateral wall 22 of the corresponding recess has a different size to the gap defined between the second projection 31 b and the lateral wall 22 of the corresponding recess. It is clear that this feature can be achieved by varying the shape and/or dimensions of both the projections and the recesses.

As can be seen from FIGS. 8A and 8B, the shape and/or dimensions of the gap between the first projections 31 a and the lateral walls allow/allows for a greater degree of deformation than the gap between the second projections 31 b and the lateral walls. By way of example, the maximum gap between the first projections 31 a and the lateral walls can be approximately 0.5 mm, for example between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm, while the maximum gap between the second projections 31 b and the lateral walls can be approximately 1.5 mm, for example between 1 mm and 2 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and the second projections comprise respective graphic elements, for example the symbols “+” and “−”, which make it clear which characteristics belong to which projection.

In one embodiment, the second projections 31 b are arranged in a longitudinally and/or transversally central portion of the forefoot region.

In this way, more support can advantageously be given to the foot in the central part of the forefoot region of the shoe. With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 9A, according to another aspect of the invention, the characteristics of the midsole 3 and, in particular, of the projections 31, are variable in a direction that is transverse to the toe-to-heel direction of the shoe 100. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A, in one embodiment, the midsole has a greater ability to compress in the forefoot region on the side facing the outer side 15 of the shoe, which region is shown in the figure by a dotted line running therearound.

This feature can also be formed by changing the characteristics of the material, for example by using higher density polyurethane in the above-mentioned zone.

This different length advantageously makes it possible to facilitate the helical motion of the foot when walking.

It should be noted that the features described in relation to the projections 31 present in the forefoot region can also be adopted for the projections 32 in the rearfoot region. In the present embodiment, however, the rearfoot zone only comprises three projections 32, the length d of which can be varied individually in order to adapt the shoe to the different postures of the foot.

With reference now to FIGS. 2, 8A and 8B once again, it will be noted that the sole of the shoe according to the present invention can be formed in a simple manner using injection-moulding techniques.

In order to facilitate the production of the sole, the recesses 26 can be formed as through-recesses and subsequently closed by a sheet 4 that is fixed to said sole 2.

In this way, the bottom surface 28 is defined by the sheet 4 itself. In one embodiment, the sheet 4 is made of a material having a higher hardness (shore) than the sole 2, for example thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). This combination of materials advantageously makes it possible to compensate for the presence of the recesses, maintaining optimum flexibility of the sole.

Non-slip elements 25 are preferably fixed to the sheet 4. In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the sheet 4 is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material such that it is also possible to observe the characteristics of the projections from the outside and to recognise the characteristics of the shoe without removing the midsole.

On account of the features of the invention, the shoe 100 can be effectively adapted to the different types of feet and postures using one solution that has a high visual impact and is also usable in classic shoe models. 

1. A shoe comprising an upper, a sole which defines a substantially flat tread surface that makes contact with the ground, and a midsole that can be removably accommodated inside said upper and can be placed on top of said sole, said midsole comprising a plurality of projections at least in a forefoot region, which are received inside corresponding recesses made in said sole, said recesses being blind at a relative bottom surface such that said projections do not project from said tread surface, wherein one end of said plurality of projections is in contact with said bottom surface of said recesses at least in said forefoot region such that said projections are subjected to compression by the foot of the wearer during a walking movement.
 2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said projections are accommodated inside said recesses such that a gap remains defined between a projection and a lateral wall of the corresponding recess.
 3. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein said gap has different characteristics on the side facing the toe of the shoe to those on the side facing the heel.
 4. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the lateral wall portion of the projection and/or of the corresponding recess that faces the toe is at a greater incline with respect to a vertical direction than the portion that faces the heel.
 5. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the end of the projection is substantially flat and is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction defined by a plane of contact between the sole and the ground.
 6. The shoe according to claim 5, wherein said end is inclined such that the portion of the end that faces the toe of the shoe is closer to the ground than the portion facing the heel.
 7. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein said projections comprise first projections and second projections, wherein the gap defined between a first projection and a lateral wall of the corresponding recess has a different size to the gap defined between a second projection and a lateral wall of the corresponding recess.
 8. The shoe according to claim 7, wherein the gap between the first projections and the lateral walls is no greater than between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm, and the gap between the second projections and the lateral walls is no greater than between 1 mm and 2 mm.
 9. The shoe according to claim 7, wherein the first projections and the second projections comprise respective graphic elements.
 10. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein said gaps are defined in said recess at least in the toe-to-heel direction of the shoe.
 11. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein said gaps widen in a longitudinal extent direction of the projection extending away from said end.
 12. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said midsole is spaced apart from said sole in regions that are adjacent to an inlet mouth of said recesses.
 13. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said projections (31, 32) are cylindrical or truncated cone-shaped.
 14. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said projections have a length (d) in a direction extending away from a contact surface that is variable in a direction transverse to the toe-to-heel direction of the shoe.
 15. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said upper comprises a base surface having through-openings, through which said projections pass.
 16. The shoe according to claim 15, wherein said base surface has a first through-opening that occupies a central region of the forefoot region, and a second through-opening that occupies a central region of the rearfoot region.
 17. The shoe according to claim 16, comprising a plurality of forefoot projections and a plurality of rearfoot projections, which pass through said first through-opening and through said second through-opening, respectively.
 18. The shoe according to claim 17, wherein altogether three rearfoot projections are provided, which are oriented in the shape of a triangle.
 19. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said bottom surface is defined by a sheet fixed to said sole, said sheet being made of a material having higher hardness than said sole.
 20. The shoe according to claim 19, wherein said sheet is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.
 21. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said projections (31, 32) are made of a material having a Shore hardness of between 18 and
 25. 22. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the midsole has a greater capability of compression in the forefoot region on the side facing an outer edge (15) of the shoe.
 23. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said projections (31, 32) are substantially uniformly distributed in the forefoot region. 